title: [Relations between psycho-physical acceleration and modern obstetrics].
abstract: In the highly developed countries, an acceleration of human growth and an increase in body length can be observed. The weight and length at birth are also increasing, which can be proved by our own investigation. Up to now, the theories explaining this phenomena are insufficient, because they assume the transmission of genetically acquired qualities. The reason for the acceleration is to be considered in the advancement of obstetrics as follows: Obstetrical handling, forceps and caesarean section permit the delivery of large babies, which were often lethal for mother and child. This led to an increase in the frequency of genetic developments for greater body length and weight at birth, which had formerly been limited by the high mortality rate. The trend towards larger babies is caused by an evolutionary selection of an enlargement of the brain, which must reach a certain minimum size by the time of birth. The relative enlargement of the newborn skull, made possible by advanced obstetrics, permits such increased birth weight and length. It also leads to an acceleration of growth and taller adults. The consequence of larger babies is an increasing frequency of obstetrical operations.
authors.affiliation: Gynäkologisch-geburtshilfliche Abteilung des Städtischen Krankenhauses Lörrach.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Warkentin
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012641:Selection, Genetic
vernacular_title: Zur Frage der Beziehungen zwischen psycho-physischer Akzeleration und moderner Geburtshilfe.